Hammer Films Horror - What's The Best DVDs

[MagicAlex]

I used to watch alot of the Christopher Lee/ Peter Cushing Dracula flix on late night TV when I was younger and thoroughly enjoyed them. It's been a long time since I've seen them and I'm interested in checking out some of the Hammer Films DVD reissues.

Anyone a big fan? Can you point out some of the best Hammer flix? Thanks!

[guy incognito]

The Curse of Frankenstein, Horror of Dracula, and The Hound of the Baskervilles are absolute must-sees, and my primary recommendations. After those, I'd try:

The Mummy
The Abominable Snowman
The Devil Rides Out
The Revenge of Frankenstein
The Evil of Frankenstein
Frankenstein Created Woman
Dracula - Prince of Darkness
Plague of the Zombies
The Reptile

[Tony Caldwell]

I'll second all of these as being great!

Horror of Dracula,
The Devil Rides Out
Dracula - Prince of Darkness

[MagicAlex]

Thanks for the replies so far! :)

Another question while we're at it. Do these Dracula movies follow any sort of order as far as a storyline goes? I've always wondered.

[guy incognito]

Prince of Darkness more or less picks up where Horror leaves off, but I believe each of the others was more or less a standalone narrative. IMO, the first two are the only really good ones anyway.

For what it's worth, here's the order in which they were released:

Horror of Dracula (1958)
Dracula - Prince of Darkness (1966)
Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)
Taste the Blood of Dracula (1970)
Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972)
The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973)

And here's the chronology for the Frankenstein series:

Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
Revenge of Frankenstein (1958)
Evil of Frankenstein (1964)
Frankenstein Created Woman (1965)
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969)
Horror of Frankenstein (1970)
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974)

[Phantom409]

I can't really argue with Guy Icognito's suggestions, but here's a couple that haven't been mentioned yet, which you could sample after his. I also think the best Hammer films were from the late fifties and early sixties, but there are highs and lows throughout their history. I'll limit the list below to what's currently available on DVD, but two of my favorites - CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF and NIGHT CREATURES have yet to make it to DVD.

CAPTAIN KRONOS - VAMPIRE HUNTER: This is a fun mix of horror and swashbuckling. Written and directed by Brian Clemens - who did many of the best AVENGERS episodes - it has the delectable Caroline Munro as the female lead. The Paramount DVD can be found from $6 to $10, with a commentary by Clemens and Munro. I hope the upcoming VAN HELSING is half as good as KRONOS.

QUATERMASS II: ENEMY FROM SPACE - Science fiction / horror film which is comparable to the original INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. Great scene, where Quatermass (Brian Donlevy) exclaims: "They're blocking the pipes with human pulp!" QUATERMASS AND THE PIT is even better, visionary science fiction that repays multiple viewings.

VAMPIRE LOVERS - From the era when Hammer was spicing things up, this is available on a nice double DVD with COUNTESS DRACULA. This was an early entry in the Carmilla series and is probably the best - thanks to Ingrid Pitt. I also like LUST FOR A VAMPIRE, which doesn't has as strong a story or direction, but ooooh Yutte Stensgard!!

[John B]

No one's mentioned Dr Phibes - they were great. There were 2 or 3 IIRC.

[MagicAlex]

Originally posted by John B
No one's mentioned Dr Phibes - they were great. There were 2 or 3 IIRC.

Yeah...Dr. Phibes Returns. Vincent Price was the Doctor in both wasn't he?

I didn't know these were Hammer films though...thanks for the info JB!

[MagicAlex]

Originally posted by MagicAlex


Yeah...Dr. Phibes Returns. Vincent Price was the Doctor in both wasn't he?

I didn't know these were Hammer films though...thanks for the info JB!

That should have been Dr. Phibes Rises Again....

[John B]

Originally posted by MagicAlex


Yeah...Dr. Phibes Returns. Vincent Price was the Doctor in both wasn't he?

I didn't know these were Hammer films though...thanks for the info JB!

Errrr, the Hammer site doesn't think so either, I goofed. :eek: Still, your thread reminded me that I should see them again. Vincent Price was indeed the murderous (creatively so) Doctor. The Abominable Doctor Phibes was the first.

[John B]

Check the site out:

http://www.hammerfilms.com/

[MagicAlex]

Originally posted by John B
Check the site out:

http://www.hammerfilms.com/

Great site John!

Hammer! King of the b-grade horror flick!